cup with sides flaring very slightly outward; flat bottom; small rim at top; gilt interior and top rim; relief scenes of Mozambique on sides; one side has battle scene with nude figures fighting with bows, staffs and clubs; at right side of scene, one group of three figures and a pair of figures appear to represent aggressors attempting to cut off their opponents' genitals; other side has nude male figure wearing feathered headdress and necklace at right extending his hand to a female figure with long hair in a ponytail wearing a loincloth, accompanied by other figures; woman appears to wear a necklace of male genitals, while two figures at left pick up and carry male genitals; incised double coat of arms surmounted by a crown and palm tree separates two scenes; long engraved inscription on underside

Beaker, 1647-1650

expand_more

Silver, giltexpand_more

The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fundexpand_more  2015.19

Not on Viewexpand_more

This beaker depicts the battles and warfare of different tribes in Mozambique, as described and imagined by the Dutch merchant Jan Huyghen van Linschoten (1563-1611), who had lived in Goa, India, for six years, and wrote an influential account of his travels through Africa and India. It was made in Leipzig, Germany, which was a center of trade, based on engravings in Jan Huyghen’s book. Such depictions of exotic peoples in faraway places were not always accurate. Here a Mozambiquian chief is pictured as a Native American.

file_downloadprintshare
arrow_back home
Details
Title
Beaker
Artist Life
documented 1622 - 1659
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.19
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

cup with sides flaring very slightly outward; flat bottom; small rim at top; gilt interior and top rim; relief scenes of Mozambique on sides; one side has battle scene with nude figures fighting with bows, staffs and clubs; at right side of scene, one group of three figures and a pair of figures appear to represent aggressors attempting to cut off their opponents' genitals; other side has nude male figure wearing feathered headdress and necklace at right extending his hand to a female figure with long hair in a ponytail wearing a loincloth, accompanied by other figures; woman appears to wear a necklace of male genitals, while two figures at left pick up and carry male genitals; incised double coat of arms surmounted by a crown and palm tree separates two scenes; long engraved inscription on underside